The annual cup reunion between Thrapston and Rockingham Forest took place in the County Cup this season and alas the same result with Thrapston exiting stage left. However the result does not reflect the true nature of the game as Thrapston battled bravely to loose with great dignity.
This was what I would call an “if only” match: if only the sinking sun had not dazzled the steadfast Luke O’Dell in goal causing him to spill a straight forward catch; if only the ball had not stuck in the mud before Cameron Glynn was about to dispatch it into the net; if only the offside flag was raised during the second goal; if only Alex Rutter had kept that yard on side before crashing the ball into the net and if only Gadders could have got his knees dirty!!
Thrappo worked hard throughout the game: the defence strong and confident with Liam Carter and Charlie Whight dominant; the midfield brave and resilient with Alex Barlow back to near his best after some Barbados sun on his back; and up front Gadders showed some early clever touches as Alexander Palmer terrorized the Rockingham defence.
So the cliché is that we can now concentrate on the league and ensure we get the opportunity to compete with the best next season. I cannot emphasize enough that the difference between the teams is “belief” - the belief in your own ability, the belief in your supporting team mate and the belief in the team – add this ingredient and you will provide a banquet of total football and the deserved results will follow.
